We must be united in the war against addiction! My mission is to unite organizations,support groups, and everyone else who needs a helping hand. I am here to educate equip and develop a Recovery resource Network. My hope is that everyone gets the help they need and no one is left behind or alone in their fight for freedom from addiction. Join me and lets fight the good fight! Our Philosophy: Instigate, Agitate, Educate, and Liberate!

The Council and PRO-ACT announce the 24th annual dedication of the "Tree of Hope," being held in the Bucks County Courthouse lobby on 55 Court Street in Doylestown, PA at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 17, 2014. The event is free and open to the public, and the Tree of Hope will remain in the Courthouse lobby throughout the holiday season. Click here for information on dedicating an ornament or attending the event.

This positive community event has been held for 24 years to: celebrate freedom from addiction; honor those successfully achieving recovery; dedicate hope to those still struggling and working in the field; and commemorate the lives lost to this stigmatized, misunderstood disease. Featuring music by Cordus Mundi, fellowship, and light refreshments, the highlight of the evening includes the personal testimonies by those touched by addiction, loss and recovery. Speakers give firsthand testimonies of gratitude for their own recovery, for those who helped in achieving sobriety, and most tragically for those who lost their lives to this disease. Handmade, personalized ornaments can be purchased prior to the event bearing the names or initials of people being honored, and are hung on the 18-foot tree during the ceremony.

The Hon. Rea B. Boylan, serving as Judge in Bucks County's Court of Common Pleas, will be presented with the Ambassador of Recovery Award for her work in helping to reduce the impact of addiction on the local community; others will be honored as dedicated volunteers.

Said Bev Haberle, Executive Director of The Council, "as this event has grown in size over the past 24 years, I am still so very touched by the individuals who bravely present their personal testimonies, often through their own pain. Seeing so many members of our community adversely affected by addiction is tempered by the power of all of those working toward and in recovery." Added board member Eileen Martin of PRO-ACT of Bucks County, "I have come to this event for many years to honor others, especially people close to me who have died of this disease. To participate for the first time as a new board member, I see even more clearly how important is this message of recovery, and remembrance of the ongoing scourge and stigma of addiction."

"I choose a star ornament and wrote my dedication to the ones that I have lost this past year who were so dear to my heart as well as one to the families that have been effected by this disease. When we were called up to place our specific dedications on the tree, it was very comforting to know that I was not alone in this journey. I definitely felt a warmth surrounding me. I believe that warmth was my loved ones alongside me during this ceremony, letting me know that everything is going to be OK." - Dawn P - 2013 Tree of Hope Attendee

AT OUR CENTERS

Overdose Prevention, Education and Naloxone Response Training - Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 - two training times 12:30 - 1:30 pm and 7:00 - 8:00 pm at SBRCC, 1286 Veterans Hwy, D6, Bristol. Learn what to do in case of an overdose and how to administer the life-saving overdose reversal agent called Naloxone. Click here for more information. Space is limited. Contact David at 215-230-8218 x3162 or email.

Planning to Sustain Recovery - every Tuesday 7 - 8:30 pm and every Thursday 10 - 11:30 am at CBRCC, 252 W Swamp Road, Unit 12, Doylestown. Educational support group to help individuals in all stages of recovery plan goals and action steps to sustain recovery. To registeremail or call Jeanne at 215-345-6644.

Gateway to Work every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 am at SBRCC, 1286, Veterans Highway, Unit D-6, Bristol; 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 1:00 pm at CBRCC, 252 W Swamp Road, Doylestown. Get help with resume building, barriers to employment and motivation. Contact Rick at 215-345-6644 or email for more information.